Phone bans could increase crash risk

An outright ban on using mobile phones while driving won't stop texting-addicted Victorians - it will simply make them try to hide their phone behind the wheel, the peak telecoms body says.

Almost half of Victorian motorists (43 per cent) backed a blanket ban on drivers using phones in cars - even with a hands-free device.

The latest Volvo Safety Index, released this week, found Victoria most in favour of a ban, followed by Queensland (38 per cent), SA (31) and NSW (30).

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association chief executive Chris Althaus said while those who backed a phone ban had safety in mind, criminalising all phone use by drivers would have the opposite effect.

Mr Althaus - whose group represents Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and other mobile giants - said not only would a total ban be unenforceable, it would result in some drivers trying to hide their actions.

"This would increase the danger of crashes. The simple act of holding a phone beneath window height or on a driver's lap to avoid detection increases the need to look away from the road," he said.

Ms Althaus said educating drivers about using hands-free technology safely would be more effective than a ban.

"(This is) the very thing the new national road rules (is) trying to avoid, by placing mobile phones in cradles on the dashboard or out of sight in a driver's pocket when using Bluetooth hands-free devices."

Victorian motorists can use a mobile phone while driving via Bluetooth or another hands-free connection. But they are required to place their phones in a holder or cradle to do so to avoid being hit with a $443 fine and four points.

Ms Althaus said educating drivers about using hands-free technology safely would be more effective than a ban. He said drivers should never text, always keep their eyes on the road, and install a phone cradle in their cars.